Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

T/N: Just a note to say that it might be tedious to read the text with so many instances of "they", but Tengen's gender is undefined in their current form. They possess women's bodies without exception, so their status has been predominantly that of a woman.

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Tokyo Jujutsu High. Tombs of the Star.

Tengen, lacking basic human facial features, sat waiting.

Possessing the Innate Technique of immortality, they had lived for countless years. Beyond that, they wielded extraordinary talent in Barrier Techniques that defied human imagination.

The Jujutsu Sorcerers crowned them the "All-Knowing Sorcerer". Through Barrier Techniques, they monitored every movement in the Jujutsu World.

Through merging with generations of Star Plasma Vessels, their soul continuously reincarnated in new vessels, barely maintaining human wisdom and rationality. In their quest to explore and transcend the limits of Jujutsu, they gradually walked a non-human path.

Their current thumb-like form wasn't Tengen's true body, but rather an external form maintained by Barrier Techniques, their Cursed Energy integrated into the world. Through these techniques, they could appear anywhere, change their form at will, and even influence the world's flow of Cursed Energy.

Their mastery of the Immortality Technique was extraordinary, allowing them to regenerate and resurrect under any circumstances. They could even disperse their body into countless independent existences, avoiding the danger of complete elimination. Without exaggeration, Tengen had become thoroughly non-human.

Through continuous reincarnation via Star Plasma Vessels, Tengen's Jujutsu ability had reached extreme heights, easily countering Special Grade Curses and Sorcerers.

However, an accident ten years ago — when a Sorcerer with a Heavenly Restriction disrupted the balance — caused their Star Plasma Vessel assimilation to fail, transforming them toward becoming a Cursed Spirit.

This transformation created a critical weakness: even Cursed Spirit Manipulation techniques could now subdue and control them.

Despite having the power to easily crush Special Grade Curses, they would be helpless against the highly targeted technique of Cursed Spirit Manipulation. Fortunately, Suguru Getō, the Special Grade Curse User who mastered this technique, couldn't threaten their safety, so they remained unworried.

Unfortunately, a rising anomalous star had appeared in the Jujutsu World, possessing Cursed Energy levels and abilities that left them astounded.

Just as Tengen's thoughts were in disarray, a familiar figure appeared before them without warning.

They sighed helplessly, knowing this moment had finally come.

"My soul and Cursed Energy have merged with the entire world. Even if you destroy this current body, I'll just resurrect." Tengen reminded calmly, though without much hope.

Given Daiki's demonstrated strangeness, they wouldn't be surprised if he used Cursed Spirit Manipulation right there.

As they predicted, he did exactly that, making Tengen smile bitterly at the subtle pulling sensation.

"One last question before I go. My goal was to transcend Jujutsu's limitations — to become something beyond both Curses and Jujutsu. After failing to assimilate with the Star Plasma Vessel, my evolution path became unclear. It could be the end, or it could lead to a new form. But what truly baffles me is your enormous amount of Cursed Energy — it shouldn't be possible, even for a Curse!"

Tengen stared into his eyes, trying to find the true answer.

"Better luck in your next life."

۞ Cursed Spirit Manipulation — Absorb! ۞

Daiki didn't answer his question.

As the vortex gradually rose, Tengen's body dissipated like smoke, converging into a black spherical Orb.

『Detected host collecting Special-Grade Cursed Spirit — Tengen!』

『Reward: Divine Construction — Spring of Youth!』

The Spring of Youth!

Also known as the Fountain of Youth, Spring of Life, or Spring of Longevity, this mystical spring grants eternal youth to those who drink from it — preventing both aging and death.

The Spring of Youth rewarded by the Collection Space held these same powers. It could even restore vitality to the elderly and weak.

If Onmyōji and Jujutsu Sorcerers discovered such a divine object's existence, the entire Jujutsu and Onmyōdo World would be thrown into chaos.

After all, neither Jujutsu Sorcerers nor Onmyōji could typically break the lifespan limit — beings like Ashiya Dōman were extraordinarily rare.

"Speaking of which, it's time to visit the Shibuya area."

According to information from the Public Safety Devil Hunter Division, the creature's appearance resembles the Smallpox Deity, though its internal toxins are far more potent than the original deity's.

These toxins produce symptoms similar to smallpox but kill victims much more rapidly. The Public Safety Devil Hunter Division requested the direct elimination of this Smallpox Deity — believing that destroying the source would end the outbreak in Shibuya.

Daiki's form shifted again, vanishing directly from Jujutsu High.

۞ Spatial Transference! ۞

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At this moment in Shibuya, the Guardian Subaru Mitejima had lost all composure.

Her Spiritual Energy bullets tore through everything instantly, shredding even reinforced concrete walls to pieces.

Though the transformed Smallpox Deity was tough-skinned, it could only retreat repeatedly before the enraged Onmyōji Guardian, not daring to confront her directly.

Splat!

Dark green poison splashed out, instantly burning massive holes in the ground's rubble. The remaining toxin vaporized across the battlefield.

Subaru's form wavered; despite her best efforts to avoid it, dizziness overcame her, making her legs feel unsteady.

'This is... troublesome! But still manageable. The Smallpox Deity's essence is disease — its poison needs time to cause fatal damage. I can use my Mystic Spell Equip for a decisive victory.'

Mystic Spell Equip, the Guardian's inherent power, binds mysteries to one's body and multiplies their strength dozens of times when activated.

Subaru gathered all her Spiritual Energy, waiting for the perfect moment to heavily damage the Smallpox Deity before activating Mystic Spell Equip to end the battle.

Drawing on her experience as one of the Twelve Guardians, she noticed the Smallpox Deity's sluggish movements and raised her gun, channeling her Spiritual Energy.

Boom!

A devastating strike landed.

As the Smallpox Deity wailed in pain, Subaru closed in for the kill.

But just before she could activate her Mystic Spell Equip, the wailing Cursed Spirit's rigid, inverted hair split open, revealing a pupil.

'This is... Gyūki's Evil Eye?'

{T/N: Gyūki is a Japanese Yōkai that resembles an ox-like demonic creature, though in Wakayama Prefecture's folklore, it appears more cat-like. According to legend, anyone who makes eye contact with the creature cannot look away — their soul or energy is gradually drained until death. Yes, I had to research this. This author is going to drive me crazy.}

When Spiritual Veins erupt, various Spiritual Disasters manifest throughout the land.

Some of these Disasters evolve into phantom forms of great Yōkai from Japanese legends, wielding powers nearly identical to their mythical counterparts.

Among these legendary Yōkai, Gyūki stands as a particularly fearsome example. Its mastered Evil Eye could trap enemies in cursed illusions where stones remained still, leaves floated, oxen lowed, and horses whinnied — all with a single gaze. And while you were at it, you life would disperse slowly until death!

{T/N: This is a rough description of the power. In folklore, one must say "rocks flow, leaves sink, oxen neigh, and horses bellow" to escape this curse.}

Subaru was shocked to discover that the Smallpox Deity had absorbed part of Gyūki's power, leaving her completely vulnerable.

"This is bad!"

The Evil Eye's cursed illusions instantly shattered her Mystic Spell Equip. The Smallpox Deity raised its massive fist, poised to crush her.

At this crucial moment, Daiki materialized in the center of the battle.

۞ Innate Technique ⟴ Slash That Cut the World! ۞